James 5:13-20 & Mark 10:13-16

 
The little children who came to Jesus –not just once but as often as possible, I’m sure –knew that here was Someone who loved them! Jesus understood them! He had time for them! And He always did them good! After spending a few minutes with Jesus, they always felt better, grounded by a big hug and reconnected to life by the light in this guy’s eyes.  St. James describes the adult version of ‘coming to Jesus’. Prayer is the way any man, woman –or child -can approach the Holy Spirit of Jesus at any time, in any event, anywhere.  In times of joy hymns of praise bring us to Him. In times of suffering we can join our moans and groans with His own passion on earth. In sickness I can come to Jesus on the wings of others’ prayers of faith, and my own, to align myself with His healing presence. And when I am ragged from the consequences of my own sins or disturbed by the dark and deceitful sins of others, I can speak and cry out great brokenness and despair, and by these prayer-full longings allow Jesus to release rivers of God’s mercy into the world. Will I take time to pray? Christ Jesus, I come to you.
 
I call to you, Lord; help me now!  (Psalm 141:1)
 
What is needed today is to retire to solitude and silence, to hear the voice of God, to glorify and pray to him, and then to return to the secular world.
Catherine Doherty, Pousitnia
 
Soli ad gloriam
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Psalm 51

 
What to do when the world seems to be collapsing around us? Go back on our knees, again, and enter into the mercy of God.  There we will find true Light to chase the darkness of fear, true Bread that is good for the soul,  and true love – the most powerful element of our beings that exists way beyond hatred and reminds us of our heritage in God.
 
My sister sent me the following excerpt from a prayer written by Central American Bishop for the canonization of Bishop Oscar Romero, a priest and Bishop who lived through his own passion as he faced war in his own times. I have added today’s Morning Prayer Intercessions from the Brievry. They are particularly appropriate.  Will I ponder fear and faithlessness today, or will I faithfully find the will of God today and do it?  Holy Spirit of God, have mercy on us.
 
He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.  (Psalm 23:3)

We may never see the end results,
but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders;
ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future that is not our own.
Amen.  https://www.bread.org/blog/prayer-oscar-romero

Intercessions for Morning Prayer, Friday, Week I
Through his cross the Lord Jesus brought salvation to the human race. We adore him and in faith we call out to him: Response: Lord, pour out your mercy upon us.

• Christ, Rising Sun, warm us with your ray, - and restrain us from every evil impulse
• Keep guard over our thoughts, words, and actions – and make us pleasing in your sight this day.
• Turn your gaze from our sinfulness – and cleanse us from our iniquities.
• Through your cross and resurrection – fill us with the consolation of you Holy Spirit

 
 
Soli ad gloriam
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Mark 9:41-50

 
So often it is assumed that we sin because we know God’s will, but just don’t do it.  For me, though,  as I bounce along my life’s journey, buffeted by this joy and that sorrow, I am not always aware of God’s will. Rather, I need to deliberately take time to pause, to breathe in the presence of God and breathe out a prayer of help to discern His will –and to find the strength and tenacity to actually do the will of the Holy Spirit of God.  When I do take time to pray, I am often surprised by what I discover about the creativity and peace of God’s way of doing, making, and healing things.  And as I do God’s will rather than being driven by my own willful desires,  I find that I am surprisingly ‘salty’ and can be used as a vessel of God’s peace anywhere, anytime.  Will I run myself ragged striving to do my own will, or will I take time to align myself with God’s will?  Holy Spirit of God, help me find your will and do it.
 
He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.  (Psalm 23:3)
 
Prayer is living in the presence of God.
Catherine Doherty, Poustinia
 
 
Soli ad gloriam
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Matthew 16, 13-19
 
Each of us is designed to be a whole, unique and complete gift to the people close to us, and to the world at large. Unfortunately so many lifetimes are lived without meeting the One who knows  them from infinity and beyond, and so never discover who they are and what gifts they have to offer. When I don’t know who I am, I find it hard to speak in dignity, to be gentle with others and to live the selfless way of Christ.  But, like Simon Peter, as soon as [I] recognize Jesus for who He is  - the redeemer, healer and teacher of my soul, aka, my Messiah – then I can hear Him speak my life’s purpose in God’s World View. That is when I will begin to live into my divine role in the Grand Opera of the Creator of the Universe and be at peace with myself, with my family, and with others.  It took St. Peter many years of mistakes as he faithfully lived into his purpose in life, as he became the Rock of the Church. I too can expect to be challenged by my own unbelief, my own failings and my own unique character traits. But, with humility and faithfulness to my Redeemer, like Peter, I too can become the holy and lively person I am designed to be, gifting the world yet again with the Spirit of Jesus. Will I take time to recognize just Who Christ Jesus is?  Am I ready to know who I am? Holy Spirit of God, help me recognize who you are, and so realize who I am .
 
He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.  (Psalm 23:3)
 
The basis of all ministry is the experience of God's unlimited and unlimiting acceptance of us as beloved children, an acceptance so full, so total, and all-embracing, that it sets us free from our compulsion to be seen, praised, and admired and frees us for Christ, who leads us on the road of service.
Henri Nouwen (The Selfless Way of Christ: Downward Mobility and the Spiritual Life)
 
 
Soli ad gloriam
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Bible 
 
James 3:13-18 & Luke 6:27-38

 
St. James the Greater, who wrote the Epistle included in the New Testament, was the brother of St. John the Divine, and together they were known by Jesus and the other disciples as the Sons of Thunder. This makes James’ counsel all the more poignant, to “show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.”  Wisdom is the gift of the Holy Spirit that becomes increasingly important as we ‘grow up’ in Christ. No baby is born with wisdom.  Rather, wisdom is the sum of experience + reflection + Grace accumulated over time.  It is no wonder then that James pairs wisdom with gentleness. As I reflect on my own life experiences and my reactions to them in the light of God’s Grace, I ultimately lose my proud arrogance and stridently defensive manners. As I realize that by myself I am incapable of finding my way through all the highways and byways of my family, let alone society in general, I recognize that any works I do that are not informed by grace are dead. Works that are born from my own self-centered goals of fear, greed or unchecked desires can lead to untold misery.  Alternatively, the more I wait on the grace-full wisdom of the Holy Spirit of God in processing the meaning of my experiences, the more humble – and the more gentle- I become.  When I approach all events in my life, and the people they involve, with the humility and gentleness born of wisdom, then I am able to faithfully and firmly turn the other cheek, generously give to everyone who begs from me, do good to those who hate me, and pray for those who abuse me. Will I live my life more and more as Jesus lived his own life on earth, with gentleness born of wisdom – especially in the context of my own family?  Holy Spirit of God, help me!  … to do things with gentleness born of wisdom.  
 
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.  (Psalm 19:1)
 
Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do…but how much love we put in that action. St. Teresa of Kalcutta
 
 
Soli ad gloriam
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